Mitch McConnell will not seek re-election in 2026: reasons and family support
20 february 2025 в 22:13
Mitch McConnell served as a senator for four decades. After being elected in 1984, the Republican advanced through the ranks in government, eventually becoming the Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee. However, Mitch announced that he will not seek re-election in 2026, putting an end to his long career in the Senate. Throughout this time, his family, including his wife, supported his political career.
«Representing our community has been the honor of my life», - said Mitch in a statement on his birthday on February 20, 2025. «I will not seek this honor for the eighth time. My current term in the Senate will be my last».
Mitch’s decision to retire came amid speculation about his overall health. The senator has experienced several medical setbacks and mysterious public moments, such as in 2023 when he suddenly froze in front of reporters. Although he insisted that «everything is fine», - the well-being of the Kentucky resident has attracted media attention since then.
Learn more about Mitch’s wife, Elaine, and their family below.
Mitch is now 83 years old. He celebrated his birthday on February 20, 2025, the day he announced his retirement from the Senate.
Mitch’s wife is Elaine Chao, the former U.S. Secretary of Transportation. She was succeeded by Pete Buttigieg.
According to TIME, Mitch called Elaine his «most valuable asset» during a fundraising event in 2014. «The most valuable asset I have is the only woman from Kentucky who has served in a president’s cabinet, my wife, Elaine Chao», - he said at the time.
Mitch also referred to Elaine as the «love of his life» and has always been «eternally grateful for her being by his side», - according to PEOPLE.
Mitch’s wife, Elaine, is now 71 years old and will turn 72 in March 2025. There is an 11-year age difference between the spouses.
Yes, Mitch shares his children, Elly, Claire, and Porter McConnell, with his ex-wife, Sherrill Redmon. Mitch and Sherrill were married from 1968 to 1980. Speaking to TIME in 2014, Mitch described Sherrill as a liberal and compared his marriage to her with his marriage to Elaine.
«People notice that I’m in a mixed marriage. I don’t see it that way», - Mitch said at the time. «In my first marriage, I married a liberal. Now that was a mixed marriage. With Elaine, we understand each other».
Mitch and Elaine do not have any children together
«Representing our community has been the honor of my life», - said Mitch in a statement on his birthday on February 20, 2025. «I will not seek this honor for the eighth time. My current term in the Senate will be my last».
Mitch’s decision to retire came amid speculation about his overall health. The senator has experienced several medical setbacks and mysterious public moments, such as in 2023 when he suddenly froze in front of reporters. Although he insisted that «everything is fine», - the well-being of the Kentucky resident has attracted media attention since then.
Learn more about Mitch’s wife, Elaine, and their family below.
Mitch is now 83 years old. He celebrated his birthday on February 20, 2025, the day he announced his retirement from the Senate.
Mitch’s wife is Elaine Chao, the former U.S. Secretary of Transportation. She was succeeded by Pete Buttigieg.
According to TIME, Mitch called Elaine his «most valuable asset» during a fundraising event in 2014. «The most valuable asset I have is the only woman from Kentucky who has served in a president’s cabinet, my wife, Elaine Chao», - he said at the time.
Mitch also referred to Elaine as the «love of his life» and has always been «eternally grateful for her being by his side», - according to PEOPLE.
Mitch’s wife, Elaine, is now 71 years old and will turn 72 in March 2025. There is an 11-year age difference between the spouses.
Yes, Mitch shares his children, Elly, Claire, and Porter McConnell, with his ex-wife, Sherrill Redmon. Mitch and Sherrill were married from 1968 to 1980. Speaking to TIME in 2014, Mitch described Sherrill as a liberal and compared his marriage to her with his marriage to Elaine.
«People notice that I’m in a mixed marriage. I don’t see it that way», - Mitch said at the time. «In my first marriage, I married a liberal. Now that was a mixed marriage. With Elaine, we understand each other».
Mitch and Elaine do not have any children together
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
